Where to live if Public Land Hunting is a major draw?

[AK Troutbum]

Texas.

^^^This!

 

[Pony Soldier]

Each state may have millions of acres but often you may have to cover a few hundred miles to find something. Lots of hunting. Sometimes very rare killing.

 

[OXN939]

Virginia has everything you said you were looking for.

Native Virginian here. I would definitely not say VA fits OP's bill. In 20 years of hunting, I've seen two whitetail over 120 on public land, and deer is pretty much all we have. Also, anyone considering moving to VA for public land hunting should first google the dog hunting fiasco... that would be a hell of a surprise after relocating.

 

[loganwayne]

Tennessee,sc,nc,ga, northern al. All fit your bill for public land whitetail. I've hunted all of them from the mountains to the coast. Also gotta decide how much traveling your willing to do to hunt. Buddy can drive 5 minutes and shoot all the deer he wants but it's to flat and hot for me in the summer time.

 

[BBob]

Maybe NM, albeit the govna’ is a communist bitch

She’ll be gone soon (term limits) but Deb Haland will likely replace her which will more than likely be worse. RIP NM

 

[timekiller13]

Most southeastern states have what you are looking for. And while the SE states may not have the “cool” animals like elk, moose etc, there are plenty of deer, turkey black bear (in some areas), and abundant small game. Deer populations are much better in the SE. if you just want to shoot some does, you could kill a truckload on any piece of public here in the SE without much effort.

 

[Agross]

Michigan. Four seasons. Lots of small game. Lots of deer. Quite a bit of public.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Native Virginian here. I would definitely not say VA fits OP's bill. In 20 years of hunting, I've seen two whitetail over 120 on public land, and deer is pretty much all we have. Also, anyone considering moving to VA for public land hunting should first google the dog hunting fiasco... that would be a hell of a surprise after relocating.

I live 3-4 miles from the WV and VA line. VA has everything the OP asked for when you get out of coastal VA. It politics suck but, it’s hunting on national forest is as good as it gets.